Electrolysis of alkaline haloids.



ELECTROLYSIS OF ALKALINE HALOIDS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.2 6, 191a.

Q/EZ/W L l ii t'E i i l cronies) wil GSHE', OF CHARLOTTE-NBUEG, GERMANY, ASSXGNOR TO SIETKIEIQ'S & HALEEKE. A. BERLIN, GERlVIANY, i i. CORPOLJLTION 0F GERT IANY.

ELEGTROLYSIS 0F ALKALINE HALGIDS.

mmmmm 7 below the filtering diaphragm and the suit solution by reason of its hydrostatic pressure permeates continuously and slowly the die'ghingm in n manner de 'iending upon the strength of the current applied. Since in operation severul horizontal layers or zones ions composition and density are formed in the eleelarolyle, A. certain height of the soiu ion'abore the diziphrugin and thereby cei hydrostatic I "sure is secured during; the entire process oi. electroli'llthongh this hydrostzilic pressure not very great in actual practice, its value vary-- ing from (004300 min. miter column, a pertial compensation oi this pressure is required in. order to atta n a slow filtration ol the elec rolyte ivliic corresponds to the current has ieen nCCml'ipllSliQd here- 1 smtic counter-presthe principle oi conununiies -f oy the prone 'Hl of u reluthich tiller layer on the liuphragni.

The first method has the advantage that the filter may be rclutivcly thin and, therefore, the d mposilion voltage may be taken relatively lVith this method it is, howerer, dill'lcull; to remove the hydrogen from the cathode space and to so arrange the com 'iurtu'icnts serving us connnunicuting tubes hut ihe method may he successfully curried out on a commercial scule.

The second known method requires a prior; it relatively large thickness of the filter us the friction of the electrolyte interiorly of the iilter layer will serve for comncnsutinp; the hydrostatic pressure. Ric-- "riiirtiin ly, u disadvantage of this method 1e which is made .ickness of the filter,

int-re:

necessary 02. and furti'icr ti Specification. of Letters Patent Application filed. August 26, 1913.

of a. web of asbestos.

Mnicnleil Serial No. 786,687.

sults the thickness of the filter layer will gruduully increase. This will mrrcssitutc either un increase in the lrvdroslutic pressure, or u partial vacuum to be gcnerutcd underneath the filler for couulcructing the dccrcuse in the velocity of liltrutiou.

My invention has for its object to our come the objections named and to so control the Velocity of the electrolyte in pur-asiu z the diaphragm that u very thin filter cloth may be employed and only a low voltigi e of decomposition is l'Qijllll'Qtl.

To this end l provide means whereby the generated hydrogen is cuuscd to nearly lill the Whole cathode spucc, and only utter creution of 21 definite pressure the en of liheruted hydrogen continuously dischurged into the atmosphere. whereas the hydroxid SOlll,

tion is [it once drawn off so that it will only cover the bottom of the cuthode chamber in the form of :1 thin film. The pressure of the. hydrogen in the cutliodc space must be kep somewhat smaller then the hydrostatic pressure of the electrolyte, this being controlled by s mlve in the discharge for the hydrogen so tlnit the velocity of filtration of the electrolw" may he made to corre :pmd to the conditions of the electric current at the time traversing the electrolyte.

lily invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying; druvi'ing which shows in a diagrammatic View one form of the apparatus for carryin s, my invention into eli cct. l1; the druvw ing, 10 represents the container or vet for the salt solution, ll. isthe positive electrode or anode, 12 the negative electrode or czithode consisting: preferably of a Wire net, 13 is the aforesaid filter consisting preferably in the arrangement as shown the electrolyte Will permeate the asbestos filter 13 in accordance with the pressure counteracting the column of the ec- ,trolytc above the diaphragm and the conditions oi the electric currentnpplied. If no further means were en'iployed tor creating a countenprcssure of the discharging hydrobe filled by the generated gas. The hydroxid solution is at once drawn olf by the pipe 14 so that it will only cover the bottom of the cathode chamber in the form of a thin film. As controlling means I have shown a valve arrangement which consists of a downwardly bent tube dipped into a Water vessel 15. B raising or lowering the level of the water in the vessel 15 the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the cathode chamber is correspondingly regulated.

The method described 7 ermits to employ at the start a very thin "lter which therefore'maylbe easily permeated by the electrolyte, fliisfilter consisting, for instance of 'a web of asbestos so that only a small voltage of decomposition will be required, If

the filter now becomes gradually denser by reasonof impurities resulting into a smaller velocity of filtration, it will only be required to adjust the valve upon a smaller pressure of the hydrogen in order to attain the normal velocity of filtration.

Having thus .described my invention I wish to be understood as not limiting myself to the exact mode as herein described, since' modifications may be employed without dewitnesses.

with constant pressure, and drawing off the hydroxidgsolution from the bottom of said space so as toj'only form a thin layer on said bottom, ith'ereby generating an aerostatic counter-pressure to the hydrostatic pressure of the electrolyte above the diaphragm.

2. In an apparatus for eleetrolyzing alka line haloids, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a horizontal diaphragm between said chambers, a discharge for the hydroxid solution from the bottom of said cathode chamber, a' discharge for the hydrogen from the upper portion of said cathode chamber below said diaphragm, and means for controlling the pressure in said cathode chamber so as to counteract the hydrostatic pressure of the electrolyte above said diaphragm 3. In an apparatus for electrolyzing alkaline haloids, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a horizontal diaphra gm between said chambers, a discharge for the hydroxid solution from the bottom of said cathode chamber, a discharge for the hydrogen from the upper portion of said cathode chamber below said diaphragm, and a valve in said discharge for'the hydrogen for controlling the pressure in said cathode chamber so as to counteract the hydrostatic pressure of the electrolyte above said diaphragm In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing KARL OOHS:

Witnesses: I

Wormzman HAUPI', HENRY Hasrnn. 

